After a heart-breaking run of seven All-Ireland final defeats Sue Ramsbottom and her Laois team-mates finally laid their hands on the coveted All-Ireland trophy when they defeated Mayo in an enthralling final at Croke Park. The 28-year-old Army cadet from Timahoe has long been regarded as one of the most talented footballers in the country and her performance in the All-Ireland final underlined that assessment.

En route to Croke Park, Ramsbottom was the corner stone of Laois victories over Wexford, Westmeath, Meath and Tyrone. Over the course of the championship, Ramsbottom scored a total of 7-17 but her most important contribution came in the final when she scored 0-4 from play and gave a young Laois side invaluable leadership.